After being in session less than one-third of the year, the least productive Congress in history wraps things up during a lame duck sessions that begin this week.

The final gasp features an agenda including renewed tax breaks for business and individuals, final year-end fiscal bills, defense policy measures and a long list of President Barack Obama's nominations to various posts that must pass through the Senate before Republicans take control come January.

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Congress was scheduled to work 126 in 2013, and the 2014 schedule was for only 113 days of actual work. Congressman received $174,000 in salary with numerous additional benefits and perks. Given an eight-hour work day, that averages out to around $193 per hour.

GOP leaders in the House were expected to work on legislation to complete 2015 appropriations so they could start with a clean slate in 2015. The House also was expected to consider extending tax breaks due to expire including state and local tax deductions, experimentation and research credits.

Some tax credits actually were controversial for Republican conservatives who opposed tax relief for renewable energy.

Arming and training Syrian rebels was on the lame duck agenda. - the authority to take action expires in December. The House was expected to debate authorization, but, as with most congressional issues, it was expected to spill over into the new session in January.

The annual defense budget that has passed every year since the 1960s was due for renewal with both Republican and Democratic leaders appeared to want to pass it.

As for the Senate, lively discussion was expected to ensue concerning a long list of presidential appointments the Obama Administration wants to ratify before the GOP takes the reins in January. 

Many federal court and agency positions have yet to e filled due to Republicans using the old filibuster rules to block discussion with only 40 votes. Democrats changed that this year and will finish up appointments although GOP senators can continue to delay them through parliamentary tactics.

TagsCongress, house, Senate, Obama, Republicans, Democrats, who controls congress, lame duck, 2014 Elections